Easy Sidecar Cocktail
This Sidecar with Dried Cherries, a recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa, is a twist on an old classic cocktail and is perfect for the holidays. Dried cherries soaked in warmed cognac deliver a sweet and boozy bite between sips. This cocktail is perfectly sweet, tart, and delicious in every way!
Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lemon , for sugaring the glasses
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dried cherries or cranberries
- 6 ounces good Cognac (VS not VSOP), divided
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
- 3 ounces Grand Marnier liqueur or Grand Gala
- Ice
Instructions
- Pour the juice of 1 lemon into a shallow bowl and put the sugar on a small plate. Dip the rim of 2 highball or martini glasses first in the lemon juice and then in the sugar. Set them aside to dry.
- In a small bowl, combine the dried cherries with 2 ounces of Cognac and microwave on high for 60 seconds. Set aside.
- Combine the 3 ounces of lemon juice with the remaining 4 ounces of Cognac, the Grand Marnier, and 1 teaspoon of the marinated cherry liquid.
- Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full of ice and pour in the cocktail mixture. Shake the mixer for a full 30 seconds and strain the sidecar into the prepared glasses either straight up or over ice.
- Thread 3 or 4 marinated cherries on small skewers and serve each drink ice-cold with a skewer of cherries. Enjoy our Delicious Sidecar with dried cherries!
Notes
How to Store
Make-Ahead
You can sugar the rim of the glasses a few hours ahead of time and then store them in the refrigerator until ready to use. This will save time and make it easier to assemble the cocktails later on. You can soak the dried cherries in cognac a day ahead and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This will allow the cherries to absorb the cognac and fully create a more intense flavor. You can mix the cocktail ingredients together a few hours ahead of time and then store them in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to serve, pour the cocktail mixture into a shaker with ice, shake well, and strain into the sugared glasses.
Storing and reheating the Sidecar Cocktail is not recommended, as it's meant to be served chilled and freshly made. However, if you need to store it for a short period, you can pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Sidecar Cocktail
Amount per Serving
Calories
968
% Daily Value*
Fat
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
0.1
g
1
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.03
g
Sodium
16
mg
1
%
Potassium
147
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
107
g
36
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
95
g
106
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
1094
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
45
mg
55
%
Calcium
51
mg
5
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Did you Like the Recipe?We would appreciate it if you could rate it. Also, make sure to check out our Youtube Channel for more great recipes. Please share it on social media and tag us so we can see your delicious creations. Thank you!